The Vatican Information Service is a news service, founded in the Holy See Press Office, that provides information about the Magisterium and the pastoral activities of the Holy Father and the Roman Curia...[+]

Last 5 news

Tuesday, September 7, 2004

VATICAN CITY, SEP 7, 2004 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed Msgr. Alexander Salazar, pastor of St. Theresa of Avila Parish in Los Angeles and vice-chancellor of the archdiocese of Los Angeles, as auxiliary bishop of the same archdiocese (area 22,685, population 11,012,763, Catholics 4,206,875, priests 1200, permanent deacons 216religious 847), U.S.A. The bishop-elect was born in San Jose, Costa Rica and was ordained a priest in 1985.NEA/…/SALAZAR VIS 20040907 (70)

VATICAN CITY, SEP 7, 2004 (VIS) - Archbishop John P. Foley, president of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications, spoke today in Rome during a seminar for bishops who have been ordained less than five years ago who speak French, Spanish or Portuguese.

In his speech, on "Bishops and the use of the media," Archbishop Foley expressed his conviction that "the effective use of the media is essential for evangelization and for the episcopal ministry in today's world."

"Listening to the Good News of Jesus Christ is the most important type of communication that human beings can receive; therefore, our first responsibility is precisely to communicate this news in the most effective way possible. … How can we communicate the Good News of Jesus Christ? Obviously with good example, … through the preaching and teaching of the basic truths of faith, knowledge of the Bible and by helping people to pray."

The president of the council indicated that "we communicate the Good News of Christ through the positive work that the Church does in His name" and through the media.

After recalling that the pastoral instruction "Aetatis novae" on communication was published in 1992, Archbishop Foley said that this document "suggests that a pastoral plan for communication develop in each diocese and that communication be part of pastoral plans."

Referring to radio and television programs and to print publications, the archbishop emphasized the importance of a high quality product. "That mark of high quality must come from our authenticity, our credibility as representatives of the Gospel of Christ."CON-CS/BISHOP:MEDIA/FOLEY VIS 20040907 (270)

VATICAN CITY, SEP 7, 2004 (VIS) - The Pope sent a letter, written in Latin and dated August 28th, to Cardinal Jozef Tomko on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of his ordination as a bishop on September 15. The Slovakian cardinal is the prefect emeritus of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples and, since October 2001, president of the Pontifical Committee for International Eucharistic Congresses.JPII-LETTER/SILVER ANNIVERSARY/TOMKO VIS 20040907 (80)

VATICAN CITY, SEP 7, 2004 (VIS) - Made public today was a Message from Pope John Paul to Fr. Joseph William Tobin, superior general of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, on the occasion of the Year of St. Gerard, honoring Gerard Majella, one of the Redemptorist's "most illustrious sons." The centenary of his canonization will be marked on December 11, 2004. His feast day is October 16.

In his August 6 Message, the Pope wrote that this disciple of Redemptorist founder, St. Alphonse Maria de Liguori, entered the religious life "with the precise will to 'become a saint'." His life was marked by prayer, penance, and "attentive charity to the spiritual and material needs of his neighbor, especially the poorest. ... The fame of his holiness and trust in his intercession continued to grow after his death. ... St. Gerard is a shining example of love of the Cross, the Eucharist and devotion to our Lady."

Noting that St. Gerard "did not spare energy, prayers and penance for sinners, the Pope said that "a weakening of the sense of sin and ... of the importance of the sacrament of Reconciliation, permeate society today. ... Continue, dear Redemptorists, to imitate your holy Founder, ever sensitive to sinners and ready to welcome them in the sacrament of Reconciliation, with the love of a father and the wisdom of a doctor."

"St. Gerard paid special attention towards growing life and towards expectant mothers, especially those in physical or spiritual difficulty," stated the Holy Father. "That is why today he is invoked as the patron saint of childbirth." He pointed to "the continuing threats to life" and the "worrisome spread of 'a culture of death', which drives large portions of public opinion to justify several crimes against life in the name of individual freedom and, on this basis, asks for their legitimization by the State."

John Paul II concluded by saying he hoped the Year of St. Gerard will encourage Christians to counter this culture of death and to act to serve the culture of life.MESS/ST GERARD/REDEMPTORISTS:TOBIN VIS 20040907 (350)

VATICAN CITY, SEP 7, 2004 (VIS) - This morning at Castelgandolfo, the Pope received 600 pilgrims from the archdiocese of Barcelona, Spain, headed by Cardinal Ricardo Maria Carles and various archbishops and bishops from Catalonia who participated this past Sunday in Loreto in the beatification of Pere Tarres i Claret, doctor and priest.

"The life of the new blessed," said the Holy Father in Catalan, "full of deep devotion to the Mother of God, was centered on Jesus, to Whom he gave himself completely as an apostle of youth, especially in the Federation of Young Christians of Catalonia and in Catholic Action."

John Paul II indicated that "Pere Tarres continues to be an example for doctors because he loved his patients as people, helping them to get well or to bear the pain. In addition, as a man with an undivided heart and a tireless commitment to the faithful and to the different apostolates entrusted to him, he is also a role model for priests today."

"Blessed Tarres never lost his love of sacrifice," he concluded, "and, as a result, was a shining example for all those who consecrate their life, even in the midst of many difficulties, to the cause of the Kingdom of God through generous service to their brothers and sisters in need."AC/PERE TARRES/CARLES VIS 20040907 (230)